Oct. 30, 2015

RESIDENTS REMINDED TO CHANGE SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM BATTERIES THIS WEEKEND

Daylight Saving Time Comes to an End this Sunday

Contact:
Communications Office
NewsMedia@flhealth.gov
(850) 245-4111

Tallahassee, Fla.—Halloween isn’t the only activity to look forward to this weekend – Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1. The Florida Department of Health encourages residents to replace batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. This simple measure can help prevent unintentional injuries.

“Take time this weekend to replace alarm batteries in your home and review emergency plans with your family,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “I also encourage you to check with older family members and neighbors to ensure their alarms are all in working order.”

According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), three out of five fire-related deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or homes without working smoke alarms. It only takes a few minutes to review where your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are located in your home, replace the batteries and check that all parts function properly. Because the gas is colorless and odorless, carbon monoxide alarms are important to have in all homes.

Here are a few additional smoke alarm safety tips from NFPA:

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home;
• Test your smoke alarms every month;
• When a smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside; and
• Replace all smoke alarms in your home every 10 years.

It is vital to create and assess your home fire escape plan and exit routes at least once a year. Daylight Saving Time serves as a good annual reminder to make sure all members of your household understand what to do during an emergency.

For more resources on smoke alarms, visit http://www.nfpa.org/smokealarms. 

About the Florida Department of Health

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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